Assignment: Background Checks

Background checks are generally conducted with the final candidate in the selection process. The background checks can include employment and education verification, references, criminal history and other sources if they pertain to the job. In this Assignment, you will describe potential legal issues associated with background checks. You will also be reviewing a scenario and making a recommendation on what action to take.

In this Assignment, you will be assessed on the following outcome:

HR400-4: Assess how employment tools and documentation are used for employee selection.

Assignment: Before starting this Assignment, review the Assignment Checklist.

You are the hiring manager for Home Improvement Center and need to fill a position for a night supervisor position. You have narrowed the selection to an applicant you think would be a good fit for the position. The applicant meets the job requirements and responded well to the competency-based interview questions you posed during the interview. You conducted reference checks on the applicant by contacting former employers and received positive results. However, the background check shows the applicant had been convicted of possession of illicit drugs ten years ago for which the applicant served time in prison. Respond to the following questions in a 2-3 page paper.

1. How do the results of the background check influence your decision to hire the applicant? Do you still hire the applicant, despite the results of the background check? Explain.

2. What are potential legal issues associated with background checks? Include a description of negligent hiring and defamation of character. Describe the steps an organization should take to prevent negligent hiring and defamation of character from occurring.